Plug and plug-receptacle for electric conductors.



0. BAHLS & T. SIEBERT, In. PLUG AND PLUG RECEPTACLE FOR mcrmc'counumons. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 28, 1916.

1,265,163. Patented May 7,1918.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

e u o ,2 av. W JIJ NVEIITOR 1: and

ATTORNEY Ill 0. BAHLS & T. SIEBERT, In. us RECEPTACLE ron ELECTRIC cououcmns.

PLUG AND PL APPLICATION FILED OCT. 28. l9l5.-

mama May 7,1918.

4 &7//////// ////////1A INVENTMJ 01 flab]; Md neodart csl'ebcrgdn ATTORNEY THEODORE SIEBERT, Jr.,

- ejecting,

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

OTTO BAHLS AND THEODORE SIEBERT, JR., OF NEW YORK, Y.

PLUG- AND PLUG-RECEPTACLE FOR ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 7, 1918.

Application filed October 28, 1916.- Serial No. 128,213.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, OTTo BAHLS and citizens of the United States, and' residents of N ewYork, in the borough of Manhattan, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plugs and Plug- Receptacles for Electric Conductors, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention (relates to plugs, and plug receptacles for electric conductors, and has for its object to provide such a device which will be reliable in action, and thoroughly protected against accidental short circuits during insertion or removal of the plug, and also protected against accidental mutilation of the contact plates, the plates being entirely closed and insulated. Further objects are to provide such a device which will be easy of manipulation, self and which will conform to fire and other regulations covering such devices.

With these and other objects in view, our invention, is shown in the accompanying drawings, and will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fjgures 1, 2 and 3 show respectively, the manner of inserting the plug into the receptacle, the plug inserted and turned into contactingposition, and the plug out of contacting position and partly ejected .prior to removal, I

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the receptacle, with the plug in contacting posi tion; and shown in elevation,

Fig. 5 is'a vertical sectional view of the l .Fig. 6 1s a sectional portion of the plug,

Fig. 7 is a top view of the plug contact plates wlth the upper sections of the insuiating cover removed along the line 77 of 1g.5, I, 'Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the part shown in Fig. 7, n Fig. 9 is a verticalsectional viewof the receptacle with cover'fitted thereon, Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view along the line 1010 of Fig. 4, g b

Figs. 10 and 10 are cross sectional views, showing two forms of wire connections,

. Fig. ll is a diagrammatic view showing I J view .of the handle I segments,

sures a firm hold another form of ceptacle plates,

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of plug having the contact plates on a single plane,

Fig. 13 is a vertical plug contact plates and resectional View thereof,

showing the handle portion in dotted lines,

and partly broken away,

. Fig. 13 further modified form of plug, Fig. 14 is a top plan view with the handle removed,

Fig. 15 is a side elevation, and X Figs. 16 and 17 are detail views of the plug contact plates, and the receptacle plates respectively.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 4 and 5 thereof, the receptacle 20 is provided with lugs 21 by means of which the same may be. attached to the Wall or other suitablemeans of support maybe provided if desired. The receptacle is open at one of its sides, and a cover plate 22 is secured thereto by screws- 23 engaging enlarged portions 24 at the corners of the receptacle. Outlet passages 25 are provided in the receptacle at any suitable position.

The cover plate 22 is provided with an openin inward yprojecting oppositely disposed segments ,2? and 28, the inner edges of which are in a concentric line withrespect to the opening. A smaller plate 29 having a similar opening is secured to the outer. side of the plate 22, the inwardly extending segments being slightly spaced from'the plate, as shown in Figs. 4'and 9, to make the said slightly resilient. This plate'29 is a compensating spring, which infor the locking feature of the plug with the receptacle.

- At the inner side of the late 22 there is provided a receptacle 30 of insulating material, secured thereto by elongated screws in effect 31, shown in Fig. 9, and provided at its ini is a vertical sectional view of a 26 which is circular, but for two I nor end with a cap 32. This receptacle 30 is formed in a plurality ofsections and contact plates 33 and. 34

(shown'in Fig. 10 in plan) are interposed between the sections, the

. screws 31 being suitably insulated by tube;

35 in passing through the plates. A single contact plate and section may be used if desired.. The plates 33 and 34 are provided with openings 36 and 37 respectively, similar to the openings of the cover plate, each being provided with oppositely disposed inwardly extending segments. The plates 33 and 3e are connected to terminals 38 and 39, having parallel laterally projecting wings 40 and 41 between which the plates are engaged, the said wings being partially embedded in the insulated receptacle. The terminals are each provided with a socket 42 in which is received and secured by a screw 43, the tapered end of a connector d4: to which the wires 45 and 46 are secured,

' the said wires extending through the outlet passage 25. The taperedend may either be circular in cross section, as shown in Fig. 10, or square, as shown in Fig. 10". The connections are preferably square in cross section to prevent the wires from turning,

and thereby becoming disengaged or loose troin the plates. This construction also facilitates the insertion of the connector, a screw driver only being necessary.

The segments, it will be noted, are less in length than the open spaces between them. The plug comprises a baseplate 50, having an annular recess 51 therein or" sufficient depth to snugly engage the cover plate 22, the portion 52 at the inner side of the recess being of a shape corresponding to the opening or the cover plate, the wing portions,

however, being substantially smaller than the opening to permit the ready insertion of the plug. The lower portion remains circular in shape. C ne extremity of each recess beneath the wings of the upper portion is closed by a wall 53, the outer face ot' which is beveled or inclined from the perpendicular edge of the inner portion 52 to the surace of the circular portion of the base plate, as clearly shown in Figs. 4: and 10. This inclined. portion serves toautomatically eject the plug upon turning, as hereinafter more fully pointed out.- 1

Three blocks 5e, 55 and 56 of insulating material or 'a shape corresponding to the inner portion of the base plate, and between which are arranged contact plates 57 and 58, are secured to the base plate by means of two elongated bolts 60 and 61 inclosed in insulating tubes 62, and engaging the base plate. The upper ends of the bolts are connected by a cap plate 63,-suitably insulated from the metallic protection head tia of the upper block 54 by an insulating washer 65. The head, insulating blocks, and inner portion of the base plate are all of the general shape of the openings of the cover plate 22, and contact plates 33 and 34 the wings being substantially smaller than the openings,

however, to permit of considerable turning free movement of the plug without engagev resilient wings 66, 67 at one side, and

masses larged portion. The space between the said resilient wings is of such width as to snugly engage the contact plates 33 and 34. The upper and lower surfaces of the central block 55 are recessed as at 70 and 71, the contact plates engaging in these recesses so that the wings are slightly spaced from the surfaces, and also from the edges thereof, the upper surface of rims surrounding the said recess being in a plane substantially inbersecting the adjacent wing so that the wing is partially within the recess and partially without. The blocks 54 and 56 are recessed in a similar manner as at 7 2 and 7 3, but in addition to the ridge surrounding the recess are provided with projecting spacing ridges 7t and 75, shown in Figs. 7 and 8, which engage the ridges of the central block, inclosing the enlarged portion of the contact plates at each side, and also close one extremity of each recess inclosing the c011 with terminal rods 76 and 7?, extending through insulating tubes Y8 to the lower end of the plug, with connecting members 4'9 and 80, secured thereto. Insulating plates 81 and 82 are disposed between the said connecting members and the base plate. The connecting memhere are in the form of a tube having a central barrier 83 therein. The wires 84 and 85 of a cable 86, are secured respectively into the sockets of the connecting members by soldering or the like, the barrier 83 preventing any solder from coming in contact with the threads of the terminal rods.

A hollow handle is provided on the plug through which the cable extends, and comprises a squared portion 90 which engages a square projecting portion 91 on the base plate 50, and provided with a circular flange 92, through which the handle is secured to where they are provided circuits of the conductors ceptacle and the the plug by means of screws 93, or any other suitable means may be employed. The

remaining portion of the handle extends in .might cause a loosenlng or breaking of the connection. If desired, the internal wall of the handle may be suitably roughened to constitute a cable gripping member, in place of the fiber gripping member. In order to insure the proper positioning of the handle upon the plug, a lug may be provided upon the interior of the squared portion 90 there-' of, which will engage a corresponding recess in the base plate, or other-positive positioning means may be employed.

When the plug is out of the receptacle the are broken. ig. 1 illustrates the position of the plug prior to insertion. When the connection is to be made, the plug is inserted into the receptacle until stopped by engagement of the base plate with the cover, whereupon the same is turned so that the recesses 51 of the base plate are engaged by the projecting segments 27 and 28 of the cover, and the contact plates 33 and 34 are engaged between the resilient wings of the corresponding contact plates of the plug, thereby completing the circuit. The resilient plate 29 of the cover plate insures a tight connection, unaffected by constant use between the replug. Accidental engagement of the plates and short circuits are impossible during insertion of the plug, and the circuit can the plug. When the plug is to be removed, the handle is thrown around 'to the positibn'shown in Fig. 3. This movement causes The-segments 27 and 28, may be'beveled off,

to engage the, inclined surfaces of the walls 53. The perpendicular wall of the portion the base plate receives and absorbs the shock of the blow due to rapid turning of the plug, and protects the insulated blocks The plug may thereupon be' readily disengaged from the receptacle.

When the plug is disconnected, a closure provided 'for the receptacle, being attached thereto by a chain 101. This closure only be closed by turning the plug. Fig. 2 shows the inserted position offrom injury during this movement.-

comprises a circular. outer plate 102, provided with a handle 103 and an inner plate 104, corresponding in shape to the plug, connected and spaced from the plate 102 by a disk 105. The recesses beneath the wings of the said plate 104 engage the portions 27 and 28 of the cover plate upon turning of the closure, and at oneextremity of each recess there is provided a wall 106 inclined at itsouter side. This inclined wall serves to eject the cover upon turning, to remove the same in a similar manner to the ejecting of the plug.

In Fig. 11 we have illustrated the manner in which the plug contact plate 110 may have a. single wing at each side which engages be-. tween a bifurcated portion 111 of the receptacle plate 112.

11 Figs. 12 to 17 we have shown a modlfied form of construction, inwhich our invention is embodied in a more simple form of plug,

in which the contact plates of different po-' larity are in the same plane. The receptacle is practically the same as that shown in the first form of construction, with the exception that the two contact plates 120, 121 shown in Fig. 17 are in the same plane. The segmental projecting portions 122 and 123, and

the terminals 124 and 125 are posed to each other.

The metallic body portion of the plug is preferably constructed of one piece, and consists of a base plate, the cover portion 126 of which is circular, and the upper portion 127 is of the general shape of the opening of the receptacle, the wing ortions, however, being substantially snial er as in the case of the first construction, and spaced from the portion 126 by a mechanical contact circular portion 128, thereby forming recesses 129 and 130 between the portions 126 and 127, adapted to be engaged b the cover. An upper late 131 is provided spaced from the base p ate by means of inclined walls 132 and 133, whlch' serve to close one extremity ofeach of the recesses 129 and 130. Asquare oppositely disabutment' 134 is also provided at the ex tremity of the said. recesses.- Within the space between the base plate and the plate 131, there is placed amember 135 of 1nsulating material, provided at each side with recesses 136 and 137, in which are disposed the plug contact plates are held in place b screws 140 or' any suitable means, extending through the upper plate and screwed into the base plate. Suitable insulating tubes 141 are provided in the openings through which the screws pass. These contact plates comprise an. enlarged central portion through which the screws pass, and which forms a portion of-a circle, and spaced win 143' and 144 projecting therefrom and slig tl depressed from the upper and lower surfaces thereof so s to be spaced from the 142 of the contact plates,

138. and 139, which I walls of the recess,

ill)

r nee les The contact plates may if desired he solidly hacked up, and provided with an overhang, The portions 1% and 123 of the receptacle contact plates are adapted to engage between these wings upon turning the plug to close the circuit.

Terminals 145 and 146 are provided for each of the contact plates 138 and 139, which extend through the base plate, and are screwed into the enlarged portion of the said plates. These screws are insulated from the base plate by insulating tubes 147, and also by a plate 148, disposed between the base plate and the washers 149 and 150 of the terminals. The wires 151 and 152 of the cable are secured beneath the heads of the terminals, and a handle similar to that shown inour first construction, and shown partially in dotted lines, is secured to the base plate, screw holes 153 being provided therefor, and the insulating plate 148 and a raised portion 154 of the base plate being square, to accommodate the same. One cover 155 is recessed to insure the proper positioning of the handle by engagement therewith of a corresponding lug on the handle.

This form of plug operates'in a similar manner to our first form of construction, the inclined walls 132 and 133 serving to eject the plug upon turning the same to break the circuit.

In Fig, 13, we have shown a slightly modiiied form of plug, in which the contact plates, are solidly backed up by the insulating portion, as at 160, an overhanging portion 161 losing provided partially inclosing the edges of the plates. This form may, if desired, he employed in the other form of my invention, and details ofthe other form substituted in this last described form, illustration of these various applications of modification to the different forms are omitted for the sake of clearness. and brevity.

It will be understood that if desired, only a single contact plate may he provided in the plug, and'receptacle, making the conmotion of one polarity only, or one polarity may be used with a number of contact plates, and other changes may be made within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An electric connection, comprising a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, a conductor connected to said plate, and a plug of insulating material provided with a transversely disposed recess therein, a contact plate disposed within said insulated recess, and providing a space within said recess adjacent said contact plate, a

conductor connected to said plug contact plate, said plug contact plate being arranged in a plane relatively to the plate of the receptacle so as to frictionally engage the same when the plug is turned, means on said plug adapted to engage said receptacle, when said plug is turned to lock said plug in said r e ceptacle, and means adapted to eject said plug from said receptacle when said plug is turned to disengage said locking means,

'2. An electric connect1on, comprising a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, a conductor connected to said plate and a plug of insulating material provided with a transversely disposed recess therein, a contact plate disposed within said insulated recess, and providing a space within said recess adjacent said contact plate, a conductor connected to said plug contact plate, said plu plane re atively to the plate of the receptacle so as to frictionally engage the same when the plug is turned, a cover plate on said receptacle having an openin for insertion of said plug, and provided with projecting portions, recessed portions on said plug adapted to engage said projecting portions of saidcover plate when said plug is turned to lock said plug in said receptacle, and inclined walls adapted to engage said projecting portion when said plug is turned to disengage said recesses from said contact plate being arranged in a.

therein projecting portions, adapted to eject said plug from said receptacle.

3. An electric connection, comprising a re ceptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, a conductor connected to said plate, and a plug of insulating material provided with a transversely disposed recess therein, a contact plate disposed within said insulated recess, and providing a space within said recess adjacent said contact plate, a conductor connected to said plug contact plate, said plug contact plate being arranged in a plane relatively to the plate of the receptacle so as to irictionally engage the same when the plug is turned, a cover plate on said receptacle having an opening therein, for insertion of said plug and provided with projecting portions, recessed portions on said plug adapted to engage said projecting portion of said cover plate, when said plug 1s turned to lock said plug in said receptacle, inclined walls adapted to engage said projecting portions, when said plug 1s turned to disengage said recesses from said projecting portion, adapted to eject said plug from said receptasic, and abutment walls, the upper extremity of said inclined walls adapted toabsorh the shock of turning said plug.

4. An electric connection, comprising a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, a conductor connected to said plate, and a plug of insulatin material provided with a transversely therein, a contact plate disposed within said insulated recess, and providing a space within said recess adjacent said contact plate, a conductor connected to said plug contact plate, said plug contact plate being arranged in a plane relatively to the plate of the receptacle so as to frictionally engage the same when the plug is turned, a cover plat on said receptacle having an opening therein for insertion of said plug and provided with projecting portions, an auxiliary springplate on said cover plate having an opening corresponding to the opening of said cover plate, and recessed portion in said plug adapted to engage said projecting portion of-said coverplate when-said plug is turned to lock said plug in said receptacle, said auxiliary spring-plate constituting compensating means to maintain a firm connection between said plug and said receptacle.-

5. An electric connection, comprising a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, a conductor connected to said plate, and a plug of insulatin material provided with a transversely therein, a contactplate disposed within said insulated recess, and providing a space'within said recess adjacent said contact plate, a conductor connected to said plug contact plate, said plug contact plate being arranged in a plane relatively to the plate of the receptacle so as to frictionally engage the same when the plug is turned, a hollow handle on said plug provided with a portion of noncircular cross section, a cable extending through said handle,-mean s connecting said' cable to said conductor of said contact plate of said plug, and a pair of gripping means a of non-circular contour within said portion of said handle of non-circular cross section adapted to prevent movement of said cable, said gripping means being prevented from rotary movement.

6. An electric connection, comprising a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, a conductor connected to said plate, and a plug of insulating material provided with a transversely disposed recess therein, a contact plate disposed within said insulated recess, and providing a space within said recess adjacentsaid contact plate, a conductor connected to said plug contact plate, said plug contact plate being arranged in a plane relatively to the plate of the receptacle so as to frictionally engage the same when the plug is turned, 'a hollow handle on said plug, com-prising two half portions, a cable extending through said handle, means connecting said cable to said conductor of said contact plate of said plug, and a pairof gripping means in said handle adapted to increasingly engage said cable as said half portions of said handle are brought together to prevent movement of said cable.

7 An electric connection, comprising a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, a conductor connected to said plate, and a plug of insulating material provided with a transversely disposed recess therein, a contact plate disposed within said insuisposed recess .said recess adjacent said contact plate, a

conductor connected to said plug contact vplate, said plug contact plate being arranged in a plane relatively to the plate of the re-' ceptacle so as to frictionally engage the same when the plug is turned, a hollow handle on said plug extending substantially laterally therefrom, cooperating positionlng means on said plug and handle, a cable extending through said handle, and means connecting said cable to said conductor of said contact plate of said plug. V

8. An electric connection, comprising a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, a conductor connected to said plate, and a plug of insulating material provided with a transversely disposed recess therein, a contact plate disposed within said insulated recess, and providing a space within said recess adjacent said contact plate, a conductor connected to said plug contact plate, said plug contact plate belng arranged in a plane relatively to the plate of the receptacle so as to frictionally engage the same when the plug is turned a hollow handle on said plug, a cable extending through said hollow handle, and couplingmeans connecting said cable and said conductor vof said contact plate of said plug, provided at each end with sockets respectively engaging said cable and said terminal, said socket engaging said terminal being screw threaded, and a barrier separating said cable and said conductor, to prevent solder or thelike from coming into contact with said threads.

9. An electric connection, comprising a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, a conductor connected to said plate, and a plug of insulating material provided with a transversely disposed recess therein, a contact 'plate disposed within said insulated recess, and providing a space within said recess adjacent said contact plate, an. overhanging portion surrounding said contact late and partially inclosing the edges of sa d contact plate, a conductor connected vided with a transversely disposed recesstherein, a contact plate disposed within said insulated recess and providing a space within said recess adjacent said contact plate, an overhanging portion surrounding said contact plate and partially inclosing the ed es of said contact plate,said contact plate e- 'ing spaced from the wall of said recess and from sald overhanging portion, a conductor connected to said plug contact plate, said plug contact plate being arranged in a plane relatively to the plate of the receptacle, so as to irictionally engage the same when said plug is turned,

11, An electric connection, comp-rising a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact platetherein, a conductor connected to said plate, and a plug of insulating material provided with a transversely disposed. recess therein, a contact plate disposed Within said insulated recess and comprising spaced Wings, providing a space therehetween Within said recess, overhanging portions surrounding said Wings of said contact plate and partially inclosing the edges or said Wings, said Wings being spaced from, the Walls of said recess and from said overhanging portion, a conductor connected to said plug contact plate, said plug contact plate being arranged in plane relatively to the plate of the receptacle to permit frictional engagement of the same between said Wings, when said ping is turned, a

12, An electric connection comprising a pair of cooperating members, a laterally disposed insulated contact plate on one of said members, a conductor connected to said plate, the other of said members being formed of insulated material and provided with a laterally disposed recess therein closed. at one radial extremity and open at the other radial extremity, contact plate disposedwithin said insulated recess, and providing a lateral space ithin said recess adjacent said contact plate, and. a conductor 7 connected to said last mentioned contact plate, said last mentioned contact plate being arranged in a plane relatively to the first contact plate, so as to frictionally engage the 593116 Within said lateral space adjacent said contact plate when the members are turned with respect to each other to lock. the said members against separation,

18, An electric connection, comprising; a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, conductor connected, to said plate, and a plug; of insulating material provided with a transversely disposed recess therein, a contact plate disposed within said insulated recess, and providing a space vvitln in said recess adjacent said contact plate, a conductor connected to said plug contact plate, said plug contact plate being arranged in a plane relatively to the plate ofthe receptacle so as to frictionally engage the same when the plug is turned, a cover plate on said receptacle having an opening therein for insertion of plug, and provided with projecting portions, means on said plug adapted to engage said receptacle when said plug; is turned to lock said plug in said rec eptacle, and means adapteelto eject said plug from receptacle when said plug is turned to disengage said locking means, and

,eoaree a closure for said receptacle, comprising a plate provided with recesses adapted to engage said projecting portions or said cover plate to lock the same thereon. when turned, in. one direction and means for ejecting said closure when turned in the other direction,

1a .[in electric connection, comprising a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, a conductor connected to said plate, and a plug of insulating material provided with a. transversely disposed recess therein, a contact plate disposed Within said insulated recess, and providing a space Within said recess adjacent said contact plate, a conductor connected to said plug contact plate, said plug contact plate being arranged in a plane relatively to the plateoi the receptacle so as to irictionally engage the same when the plug is turned, a cover plate on said receptacle having an opening therein for insertion of said plug, and providedwith projecting portions, means on said plug adapted to engage said receptacle when said plug is turned to lock said plug in said rcceptacle, and means adapted, to eject said plug from said receptacle when said plug is turned to disengage said locking; means, and a closure. for said receptacle, comprising a plate provided with recesses, adapted to engage said projecting portions of said cover plate to lock the same thereon when turned in one direction, and inclined Walls adapted to engage said projecting portion, when said closure is turned in the other direction to eject the same,

15. An electric connection, comprising a receptacle, a transverse insulated contact plate therein, a conductor connected to said plate, and a plug of insulating material provided with a transversely disposed recess therein, a contact plate disposed. Within said insulated recess, and a conductor connected to said plug; contact plate, said plug contact plate being arranged in aplane relatively to the plate of the receptacle, one of said plates being bifurcated and adapted to frictionally engage the other or said plates, when the plug is turned, a cover plate on said receptacle having an opening therein for insen tiorr of said plug, and provided with projecting portions, means on said plug adapted to engage said receptacle when said plug is turned to lock said plug in said receptacle, and means adapted to eject said plug irom said receptacle when said plug is turned to disengage said locking means, and a closure 1 for said receptacle, comprising a plate pro:

vided with. recesses, adopted to engage said prmectmg portions of said cover plate to lock the same thereon when turned in one direction, and inclinedvvalls adapted to engage said projecting portion, when said clo sure. is turned in the other direction to eject the some,

1-6, An electric connection comprisingpair of coiiperating members, a laterall disposed insulated contact plate on one 0 said members, a conductor connected to said plate, the other of said members being formed of insulated material and provided with a laterally disposed recess therein, a contact plate disposed within said insulated recess, and providing a lateral space within said recess adjacent said contact plate, and a conductor connected to said last mentioned .contact plate being arranged in a plane relatively to the first contact plate so as to fric-' tionally engage the same within said lateral space adjacent said contact plate when the members are turned in one direction with re- 15 spect to each other to lock the said members against separation, and means for ejecting one of said members with respect to the other when turned in the other direction.

In testimony that we claimthe foregoing 20 as our invention, we have signed our names In presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses: D. Lnwrs MAmRN,

.A. Y. COUGAN. 

